BROOCH

A near complete cast copper alloy brooch of Colchester derivative Polden Hill type of Roman date (80-120 AD). The wings are complete with flat and pierced end caps. The axis bar and spring are present; the axis bar is formed from a length of iron wire and holds the copper alloy spring and pin. The pin is formed of wire turned nine times and held in place by an external cord which is fixed to a rearward facing hook positioned at the midpoint on the upper edge of the reverse. The pin is lost being broken at the junction of the spring. The head of the brooch bow is hump like - being comma shaped in profile. The bow is D shaped in cross section. It extends to a rounded 'bun shaped' turned foot. The catch-plate is formed from a rib on the rear of the bow which starts below the head it is crescent shaped and the external edge is rolled to form the pin rest - the catchplate is not pierced. The brooch is sparsely decorated with a series of cast and applied patterns. These are limited to the end caps which are decorated with a circumferential groove and transverse notches and cast D shaped lugs either side of the bow in line with the wing case. The bow and catchplate are undecorated and the foot has a double transverse ridge which separates it from the lower bow. The head and upper bow of the brooch are also decorated with a incissed spine or groove. The brooch is a mid - light brown colour with an even but abraded / dusty patina. In places the brooch is severely compromised by stress fractures caused by movement in the ploughsoil. Similar brooches can be seen in Richard Hattatt's Visual Guide to Ancient brooches and Bayley and Butcher: Roman Brooches in Britain.

The brooch measures 58mm length, is 20mm width across wings, and is 19mm thick. It weighs 10 grams.